Imagine driving on a Road over Bridge (RoB), which lacks a proper parapet wall and streetlights. When the very thought can be scary, then visualise the plight of motorists shuttling across the Kompally RoB in such precarious conditions.
It is the rust-coated iron grills which serve as a safety measure on one side of the bridge constructed on the ever-busy National Highway-7. Though the bridge is identified as an accident-prone area, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) authorities have opened it to traffic recently.
Double risk
“There is no proper fencing and in the event of a fatal accident, there is every possibility of vehicles falling from it. In addition to motorists on the bridge, those driving on the service road are also at risk,” says Uttam Majumdar, a resident of Kompally.
As there are no streetlights, driving here, particularly at nights, is even more frightening since it will be pitch dark, adds V. Chandrasekhar Reddy, another resident.
To make matters worse, there is no ‘U’ turn beneath the bridge and the service road is the only connecting option for many residents living near the bridge to get on to the main road.
Even RTC buses from Gundlapochampally drive on the cramped service road and cross the main road at SNR Garden or at NTR Statue, even as heavy vehicles continue to zoom past.
“Despite many requests, traffic authorities have not bothered to deploy even one police constable at SNR Garden turning. Many minor accidents have occurred here,” says K. Krishna Reddy, another resident.
Admitting that the absence of streetlights and incomplete works was causing inconvenience to motorists, an officer from Alwal traffic police said a requisition would be made to NHAI to speed up works.
However, NHAI authorities inform that bitumen was laid on the bridge recently and traffic was allowed to facilitate proper carpeting. The construction of a parapet wall would be completed in 15 days, informs a NHAI official.
“Streetlights will have to be installed either by GHMC or HMDA as per their jurisdiction. NHAI has got no role to play,” the official added.
